Very violent and sex driven, the movie Rondo has the look of a Grindhouse genre complete with a narrator, but goes one step higher to make it more gritty and bloody. More of a horror slasher, the move should captivate the audience that enjoyed films like Friday the 13th, Cabin the Woods and other of the same breed. The nefarious storyline is original, but the writer must have pulled it out of a very sadistic dream.
In the opening scene Paul (Luke Sorge) wakes up in the middle of the night still thinking about his dishonorable discharge. His discharge was due to an unfortunate incident and he still has the nightmares from the mysterious happing. Turning to booze he finds himself destitute and without any possible desire for work. Living on his sister Jill’s (Brenna Otts) sofa until he can get back on his feet has been a problem as she demands he follow her rules including no booze and no guns.
She gives him a card to her therapist Cassie Wright (Meegan Beissner Kiefel), who besides helping with her anxiety also deals in alcoholism. Cassie tells Paul to replace the booze gradually with other things to fill the void like sex. She brings up fetishism and says that Denver is a good place for it. She tells him about websites and where they go to meetings and dating. She says that submission and domination can really help to take his mind off the booze and she gives him the address of a place that has a party available with the password Rondo.
There he meets the host Lurdell (Reggie DeMorton) who introduces Paul and two other men who have arrived to Mr. and Mrs. Tim. They are told the desires of the couple and each man is called into a room by bodyguard DeShawn (Ketrick Copeland). So begins a freaky night that Paul will have to try and escape with his life.
Director and writer Drew Barnhardt moves his film along quickly as he introduces the characters and sets up the initial meetings with the therapist and then the apartment where the sordid film takes a turn into weird and fiendish. Even though sex is the theme of the film, it is used to set up the event that puts Paul on the run and his sister in danger, then revenge. Barnhardt provides some nice twists and surprises you won’t see coming and actually makes the film worth the watch for the target audience.
Very gory and gut wrenching, the film borders on an X- rating, but it can make a case that there have been many blood bath movies in the Horror genre. It’s best that you not look at the film as if were a low budget flick and just sit back and watch two very unhinged people get revenge. See what a 120 lb woman can do when she really gets mad.
Bonus Features:
“Deleted Scenes” Jill At Work- After watching the film to get the best effect of the finale, go directly to the Deleted scenes and watch Jill at work. Extended Elevator Take- no sound, but a good performance that should have been left in the film. Paul Comes Home- it’s the interim between Paul’s escape and Jill getting the idea that he is upset. The Split Screen ThatWasn’t to Be- interesting scene idea.
“Deleted Scenes with Commentary”
“Director’s Commentary”
“Music Commentary”
“Artwork Featurette” several very cool posters, some unique lobby cards that most movies do not provide anymore and several portraits of the characters.
Rondo has been not been rated R by the MPAA but contains drug use, alcohol abuse, sexual material, nudity, extreme violence, and gore. Be extremely cautious not to let the immature watch the film as it does have many scenes that should only be seen by adults.
FINAL ANALYSIS: The film takes grindhouse to another level. (2.5 out of 5 Stars)
Specifications and additional video information:
Cast: G. C. Clark, Ketrick Copeland, reggie De Morton, Ashley Gagnon, Meegan Kiefel, Grant Benjamin Leipowitz, Iva Nora, Brenna Otts, Kevin Sean Ryan, Gena Shaw,
Directed and written by: Drew Barnhardt
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains drug use, alcohol, sexual material, nudity, extreme violence, gore,
Genre: horror, thriller
Running Time: 1 hr. 30 min.
Video Release Date: June 4, 2019
Original Theatrical Release Date: December 9, 2018
Language: English
Reviewed Format:
Audio: Surround Sound Dolby Digital 5.1
Video:
Subtitles: English SDH
Number of Discs:
Distributed by: Artsploitation
Released on: DVD and VOD
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
